November 7, 2016

Jakim says no resurgence of interfaith commission, apostate groups

Malaysia’s federal Islamic authority has denied that the Interfaith Commission of Malaysia (IFC) previously proposed by Putrajaya has been registered, amid Muslim concern over the spread of so-called pluralism in the country.

According to the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim), its checks with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) and the Home Ministry confirmed that there is no such entity registered nor two other purported groups of Malay apostates.

“Jakim sees that such an issue can arouse worry and anxiety among Muslims, in addition to affecting the harmony between the multi-racial society in this country,” Jakim director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha said in a statement.

Jakim was dispelling the rumour that the IFC and two groups — Malay Apostates’ Society and Malays Christians’ Society — have been registered with the RoS.

The same rumour involving the commission and the two societies had previously spread online on October 2014.

In 2005, civil society, professional and political groups had banded together to advocate the IFC as conciliatory and advisory body among the country’s various creeds.

The IFC has long been opposed by Islamist groups in Malaysia who claimed that it will spread pluralism and equality among all religions in the country, subsequently undermining the position of Islam and would lead to a proliferation of Muslim apostasy.

Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup had explained in August 2013 that the IFC was not shelved, but instead was renamed as the Cabinet’s Special Committee to Promote Understanding and Harmony Among Religious Adherents (JKMPKA).

JKMPKA was formed in 2010 under the purview of the Department of National Unity under the Prime Minister’s Department, and is currently headed by chairman Datuk Azman Amin Hassan.

Speaking at the appointment to JKMPKA committee members in February this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the committee is crucial towards resolving religious issues amicably.